Portable dispensing units



Feb. 16, 1965 P. HREBENAK ETAL 3,169,670

PORTABLE DISPENSING UNITS Filed June so, 1951 ll FIG. 2 i I I6 I ll, \1

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INVENTORS PAUL HREBENAK LEO ZUCKERMAN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,169,670 PORTABLE DISPENSING UNITS Paul Hrebenak, East Hanover, NJ and Leo Zuckerman, 29 Chesapeake Ave., Lake Hiawatha, N.J.; said Hrebenak assignor to said Zuckerman Filed June 30, 1961, Ser. No. 121,056 6 Claims. (Cl. 222-95) of the active ingredient being dispensed or sprayed, andv discharged therewith during the dispensing operation. Bombs of this type required a mixture containing a larger proportion of propellant than the active ingredient. Thus the bomb container had a capacity of only a small proportion of its total for the material to be dispensed, the rest of the capacity being for thepropellant, which in manycases was even more expensive than the active ingredient.

In accordance with our invention,.we not only sepa-.

rate the propellant from the activeingredierit, but make it possible to use a much cheaper propellant than hereto-' fore. Being in a separate cavity, the minimum amount of propellant needed to push the product can be established and will never fall below thistoinsure complete expulsion. A suitable pressure to compensate for expansion as the product leaves container can also be established.

'The container will have a simple back check or plug arrangement, wherein a simple filler" prong may introduce the desired propellant with a suitable pressure. Back pressure causes the back check to close the opening as the prong is withdrawn from the hole. be easily made on high speed equipment and filled in a simple manner.

By using compressed air, for example, asrthepropellant,

a simple method of loading aerosol cans, as described above, may be employed.., At present, cans are loaded.

Such a container may.

reference being had for the latter purpose to the appended c arms.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote like parts in the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a'vertical or axial sectional view of a dispensing unit, embodying our invention, prior to operation thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, showing the squeezing effect of the compressed propellant on a sac or flexible bag in a container.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary axial sectional view, corresponding with an upper portion of FIGURE 1, but showing an alternative form of valved discharge nozzle.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary axial sectional view corresponding with a lower portion of FIGURE 1, but showing an alternative form of back-check valve which may be used. 4

Referring to the drawings in detail, and first-considering the embodiment of our invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, there is shown a generally hollow cylindrical 1 container 11 desirably formed of thin or sheet metal, such as steel or aluminum. Disposed inside thecontainer 11 and dividing the space therein into two chambers is a flexible bag or sac 12, which may be formed of rubber, plastic or the like. This bag 12 is filled with an active ingredient 13, which may be any material-to be dispensed,

including sprays, medicines,salves or other substances in,

liquid-or other form which will flow.

The assembled conventional dispensing valve 14, normally closed by a spring (not shown), and the filled sac 3': or bag 12 is then inserted in the pressure-resistant containerll. The part of said container outside of said sac is for the purpose of holding a propellant, generally designated 15. The cover plate 16 of the valve assembly may be clinched or'otherwise secured to the rim of the open end of the container 11, desirably making use of a sealing substance or means in'conventional use, to obtain an airtight seal between said plate 16 and the container'll. In orderto allow for introduction of the propellant 15 into the container 11, the circular'bottom wall 17 of said container 11 "is desirably strengthened as by being of with the product, refrigerated gas in liquid form is placed therein, valves are crimped in pos'ition,.an'd the cans are placed in a hot water tank "to expand the refrigerated time. The can is then simply-filled through the back check with compressed air or vapor from any suitable liquid, eliminating refrigerating equipment. Finally, the can may be placed in a tub of water for testing eliminah ing the need for a hot water. tank.

An object of our invention is to provide a supply unit i or bomb of great efficiency and requiring little propellant with a correspondingly greater capacity for the active ingredient. v a 7 Another object of our invention is to prevent the escape 1 to support a plug 719, which is to act asa'back-check and i V V of the propellant with the active ingredient, thereby saving the propellantand avoiding contamination of the active ingredient thereby. i

A further object of our invention is to provide a container for the discharge of material, wherein the latter is held in a flexible or resilient sac or bag therein.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the drawings are for the purposes of illustration and donot define the-scope or limits oii'the invention,

increased thickness 'or for-med as an inwardly embossed,

generally spherical permanent closure;provided with an inturned cylindrical flange 18. The inner surface of the,

bottom wa1l'17, or the inner edge of this flange 18 serves may sealably'engage said bottom wall 17 or ,flange'18.- Said plug, forthat purpose is desirably formed of rubber or plastic, with a boss or protrusion 20 :adapted to fit and axially move with respect to the aperture 21Jthrough thei-bottom wall 17, .defined. by the flange is, if used.

For preventing displacement of the plug 19 fromits position adjacent to the flange-18, the same may be covered by a screen 22 or the like, secured to ,said flange 18, as illustrated. r

The propellant, desirably in the form of compressed air,

although other materials, including gas or volatile liquid such as Freon, may be applied as through a nozzle 23 on a suitablefillin'g hose 24. The completely assembled unit has the filled sac 12 squeezably suspended. in the propellant 15, said propellant being confined within the container 11 and disposed between the sac 12 andthe walls of said container. The operation of the spray valve 14'by depressing with; a finger 30 as: illustrated inFIG- URE 2, 'to overcome the closingaction of the enclosed J spring, permits the propellant to squeeze the pliable sac 12 containing theselectedcontents which are dispensed therefrom" as a stream or spray, the'sac 12 contractingfrom the shape represented in. FIGURE 1 to that of FIGURE '2 under action of the propellant.

' Referring now to the embodiment ofpur invention ilof dispensing or valved nozzle 26 mounted on a cap 27 secured to the casing 28. Various arrangements may be employed for the .filler cap 27 and spray nozzle, as they may be secured separately to the casing or as the unit here illustrated.

I As in the preceding embodiment, a flexible bag or diaphragm 29 to hold the active material 13, maybe constructed of generally impervious flexible material such as metal foil, treated fabric or a rubber or synthetic film. It may have its open end portion held between the peripheral portions of the cap 27 and that of the casing 28 as illustrated, the assembly operation effecting a tight connection between the parts. For that purpose, the edge at the open end of the casing may be reinforced by turning the sheet metal thereat out as a hollow toroidal portion, between which and the similarly-formededgeportion of the cap 27, the edge portion of the bag or diaphragm 29 is tightly held. Where it is to stretch in service, it should be constructed of a suitable stretchable material such as rubber or the like. This bag 29 serves as a chamber for the active ingredient 13 and the propellant 15 is, as in the preceding embodiment, disposed outside of the bag 29 but inside of the container 28. The bottom wall of said container, which is not here shown, is provided with a suitable back-check propellant-admitting valve as in the preceding embodiment.

The nozzle 25, in the present embodiment, for discharging the active ingredient from the bag 29, here comprises a cylindrical valve body 31 extending through the cap 27 centrally of the latter and welded or otherwiseconnec'ted thereto.' The, inner end of the valve body 31 is perforated as at 32, just inside the cap 27, and is hollow to provide a valve chamber33. 'The outer end'of the valve body" 31 is tubular with a relatively small axial opening 34 therethrough and is threaded externally to receive the threaded cap 35. p r

The valve in the chamber 33 here comprises aseal, gasket or washer 36 disposed'over'or around the inner end of said axial opening 34 to seal the same against enf trance of the active ingredient. plate 37 bears against the inne'r's'ide of the Washer 36 to eifect the seal. A stem 38 secured to plate 37 extends downwardly through a hole in a plate 39' at the opposite end of chamber 33 to guide the plate 37 and retain it so that it will'always" resume a position substantially parallel to thetshoulder against which 'washer' 36 seats around the inner endof opening 34. g t

A coilv compression spring 41 is disposed between the plates 37 and 39m bias the same apart and thereby effect a normal seating of the valve to close opening 34. and:

q prevent leakage of the active ingredient. The plate '39i may be held in the chamber. 33 by crimping inwardly of the inner end of the valve-'body-lafter assembly oh the t I valve and the parts described-in thechamher 33.

' 'pressedair is preferred because of its cheapness, yet other- 4 ingredient is discharged in a predetermined spray or stream, depending on the ingredient and its use. Outward or upward threading of the cap 35 permits the valve to seat around opening 34 and stops the discharge of the active ingredient.

The discharge of the active ingredient is effected by the pressure of the propellant. Examples of suitable materials for the propellant are as in the first embodiment. Thus, 7

they may include Freon, methyl bromide, propane and butane gases, but compressed air is considered to be the cheapest and most suitable. It may be applied to the container through the bottom valve, not here shown, but as in the first embodiment.

Referring now to the embodiment of our invention illustrated in FIGURE 4, there is shown a modified form of back-check valve 46, which is threaded into the aperture 21 in the bottom wall 17 of the container 1 1, or the flange 18 thereon. Said valve is provided with an intermediate wall 47 having an aperture or opening 48 therein normally closed by a ball 49, axially movable with respect to said aperture. Said ball is pressed against said wall by a spring 51 abutting against a plug 52 in the threaded opening" 53 in one end'thereof, so as to normally close said aperture. An opening 54 is provided in this plug.

Some means is threaded into the internal portion 55 of the valve for connection with a source" of compressed air 'or other fluid to be forced into the container until a certain desired. pressure exists- I This valve 46 is one which may be substituted for the valve or plug 19 of FIGURES l and-2 and used for the same purpose as described in con-' this, the propellant is introduced into' the container through the bacl 'check valve, which after introduction prevents the propeliant from escaping. Although comsuitable' fluids may be employed as heretofore mentioned. However it is desirable that the. fluid employed by a gas or vapor at room temperature so that heat is not neededin testingfor leaks. t

. Having now described our invention in'detail in accordance withthe patent statutes, thoseskilled in this art Will have no difiiculty in making changes and modifica-Q tions in the individual parts; or their relative assembly The'valve is opened by means. of a tubular plunger '42 the opening '34to push the washer 36 and-plate 37zdown= secured axially to the cap 35 and which extends through? wardly against the spring 41 when the cap 35 is threaded downwardly upon the outer end'jof the 'valve b ody.

The tubular plunger 42 has one or more lateral holes 43 foradmittingtheactive ingredient into the same from the bag 29 upon unseatingof the valve as described; A suitable. packing 44in the form of. a ring encircles the plunger 42 to seal it against the walls of opening--34 and thereby prevent any substantial escape ot'the active ingredient into the cap 35 and thethreadsjbetweenit and the valve body. The outer endof the tubular plunger42. extends through the cap 35iand constitutes the discharge 7 To operate, the cap.35;is turned downwardly uponthe valve body causing the plunger42'to unseat. the-valve plate 37 and admit the'active. ingredient through the perforations 32, valve chamber 33, openings'43,and through the'thollow plunger 42 ,to orifice 45; where the. active in order to. meet specific requirements .or conditions.

Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of'the' invention-gas set forth in the followingiclaims. i

We claim 1. A portable self-contained pressurized unit for ,dis-

pensing fluidsicornprising an air-tight container open at one end and with its other. end permanently closed, a movable member'within said container and dividing the space therein into two chambers, one of said chambers containing an active ingredient to be discharged and the other of said chambers containing a propellant adapted to provide a predetermined dischargepressure for said active ingredient and to move said member into the space initially occupied by said active ingredient as itis dis-' charged, said propellant chamber being defined by said container, a valve-controlled discharge nozzle for said active ingredient chamber, a back-check valve in said closed portionfor admitting the propellant to, andholdingit in, the propellant chamber of, said container said valve normally closing, and axially movable withrespect,

' to, an aperture in said portion, and means for holding 7 said valve closed.

2. A,-portable unit as recited in claim 1, Wherein'the 3 edge of, the open end of the container is reinforcedby forming thereat a hollow toroidal portion,'the movable member is a flexible rubber-like bag containing the active ingredient, and closure means with an outer edge portion bent around said toroidal portion for sealing it to said container.

3. A portable unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the propellant is compressed air.

4. A portable unit as recited in claim 2, wherein the container is formed of metal, and the edge portion of the bag is tightly held between said toroidal portion and the bent edge portion of said closure means.

5. A portable unit as recited in claim 4, wherein the container has a bottom thicker than the remainder and the back-check valve for admitting and holding the propellant is secured in said bottom.

6. A portable self-contained pressurized unit for dispensing fluids comprising an air-tight sheet metal container open at one end with its other end permanently closed by a circular portion inwardly embossed for strength, the edge at the open end of the container being reinforced by turning the sheet metal thereat out as a hollow toroidal portion, a rubber-like movable member within said container as a bag opening toward said container open end and dividing the space therein into two chambers, one of said chambers being in said bag and containing an active ingredient to be discharged and the other containing a propellant adapted to provide a predetermined discharge pressure for said active ingredient and to move said member into the space initially occupied by said active ingredient as it is discharged, said propellant chamber being entirely within said container, a cap for the container, formed centrally of the edge thereof at the open end of said container, and between which end said hollow toroidal container edge portion, the edge portion of the bag is tightly held, a valve-controlled discharge nozzle for said bag, said nozzle comprising a cylindrical valve body mounted on and extending through said cap centrally of the latter, the inner end of v said 'valve body Being apertured inside the cap and hollow to provide a valve chamber, the outer end portion of said valve body having a relatively small axial opening and threaded externally, a cap threaded to the outer end portion of said valve body, a tubulai plunger secured to and extending from said cap reform a discharge nozzle, and with an inner portion guidingl'y received in said axial opening for operatively engaging said valve, said valve comprising a Washer disposed over the inner end of said axial opening to seal the same against entrance of the active ingredient, a plate bearing against the inner side of the washer, a stem secured to the plate, extending inwardly and guided by the cap, resilient means around said stem to hold the valve closed until forcibly opened by inward movement of said plunger upon turning said cap, and means for admitting the propellant to and holding it in the propellant chamber to press on said bag.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,086,532 2/14 Huss 222- 2,127,548 8/38 Boyle et al. 73-52 2,689,768 9/54 Falligant 222-399 2,693,418 11/54 Smith 141-3 X 2,816,691 12/ 57 Ward 222-183 2,857,935 10/58 Spiess et a1. 141-3 2,929,432 3/60 Kominic et al. 141-38 2,937,791 5/60 Micallef 22295 3,013,591 12/61 Stanley et al. 141--3 3,021,877 2/62 Wellsch 14138 LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

LEVERNE D. GEIGER, EUGENE F. BLANCHARD,

Examiners, 

1. A PORTABLE SELF-CONTAINED PRESSURIZED FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS COMPRISING AN AIR-TIGHT CONTAINER OPEN AT ONE END AND WITH ITS OTHER END PERMANENTLY CLOSED, A MOVABLE MEMBER WITHIN SAID CONTAINER AND DIVIDING THE SPACE THEREIN INTO TWO CHAMBERS, ONE OF SAID CHAMBERS CONTAINING AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT TO BE DISCHARGED AND THE OTHER OF SAID CHAMBERS CONTAINING A PROPELLANT ADAPTED TO PROVIDE A PREDETERMINED DISCHARGE PRESSURE FOR SAID ACTIVE INGREDIENT AND TO MOVE SAID MEMBER INTO THE SPACE INITIALLY OCCUPIED BY SAID ACTIVE INGREDIENT AS IT IS DISCHARGED, SAID PROPELLANT CHAMBER BEING DEFINED BY SAID CONTAINER, A VALVE-CONTROLLED DISCHARGE NOZZLE FOR SAID ACTIVE INGREDIENT CHAMBER, A BACK-CHECK VALVE IN SAID CLOSED PORTION FOR ADMITTING THE PROPELLANT TO, AND HOLDING IT IN, THE PROPELLANT CHAMBER OF, SAID CONTAINER, SAID VALVE NORMALLY CLOSING, AND AXIALLY MOVABLE WITH RESPECT 